Why I’ve Chosen M-Disc for Long-Term Data Archiving

Verbatim BD-R 25GB

After researching different storage solutions, I have decided to invest in an M-Disc compatible burner and reader, along with some M-Discs. My primary goal is to securely archive important digital material for the long term, prioritising reliability over speed or convenience.

Why M-Disc?

M-Disc (Millenniata Disc) is a unique optical storage medium designed specifically for long-term data preservation. Unlike traditional DVDs or Blu-rays, which degrade over time due to the organic dyes used in their recording layers, M-Discs utilise a rock-like inorganic material that is resistant to environmental factors such as light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. This makes them ideal for archiving important files.

While standard DVDs have a lifespan of only 7-10 years before they may well start degrading, M-Discs are rated to last up to 1,000 years, ensuring that stored data remains intact for future generations. This remarkable longevity makes them a compelling option for anyone looking to preserve valuable digital assets.

My Use Case for M-Disc

I plan to transfer a significant amount of stored material onto M-Discs over time. One of the main drivers behind this decision is my current camera, which produces extremely large file sizes. Instead of consuming cloud storage (and paying for it over years) or overloading the SSD on my iMac, I can use M-Discs to maintain the original files in a safe and permanent format.

I have chosen Verbatim 25GB M-Discs for this project. Although M-Discs have slower write speeds compared to conventional discs, this is not a concern for me, as my primary focus is durability and data integrity rather than quick access. They are written once and that’s it.

Benefits of M-Disc Optical Media

M-Discs offer several advantages over traditional storage methods:

• Longevity: With a lifespan of up to 1,000 years, they far surpass the durability of standard DVDs and Blu-rays and of course flash drives.
• Data Integrity: The rock-like recording layer ensures that data remains intact, free from degradation.
• Universal Compatibility: M-Discs can be read on any standard DVD or Blu-ray drive, making data retrieval easy.
• Resistance to Environmental Factors: Unlike hard drives or flash storage, M-Discs are impervious to magnetic interference and electronic failures. Who knows when the next Carrington Event is going to hit Earth?

Ideal Applications for M-Disc

M-Disc technology is widely used across various fields where data preservation is critical, including:

• Archiving Personal and Family Histories: Perfect for safeguarding family photos, home videos, and important documents.
• Medical Records Storage: Ensures the long-term preservation of critical patient data.
• Legal and Government Documents: Provides a secure and reliable medium for sensitive records.
• Photography and Videography: A reliable solution for professionals and amateurs alike who wish to archive high-resolution images and videos.

Final Thoughts

M-Disc technology aligns perfectly with my archiving needs, offering a secure and long-lasting storage solution. By investing in an M-Disc burner and reader, I can systematically transfer and protect my digital files without relying on potentially costly cloud services or volatile storage media.

Much has been written on Reddit and elsewhere about whether the Verbatim M-Discs are “real” M-Discs or not, based on all sorts of criteria but in the end it is simply not possible to to get to the bottom of the “science” behind various opinions/claims being expressed. For my part I am happy to make my decision to use M-Discs to archive my material and to stick with it in the belief that these Verbatim M-Discs are at the very least going to last a good while and are stable, more stable than the alternatives. In the end all you can do is make the best decision you can, go with it, and hope!

Rightly or wrongly I’m confident that these will outlast CDs, DVDs, SSDs, HDs, SDs, SDHCs, USB Sticks and probably cloud storage too but time will, as always, reveal all. Cloud storage is all very well but there is going to be a huge volume of data “lost” when folks sadly pass away and nobody else has the keys to the castle.

At the time of writing I have invested in an ASUS BW-16D1H-U PRO External Blu-ray Writer which I bought from Amazon at a reduced price as the box was “damaged” but it looked fine to me and works perfectly. I suspect that someone bought it and changed his/her mind. This writer allows me to write M-Discs holding 4.7GB, 25GB or 50GB of data which is enough choice for me, I don’t need to be able to write the 100GB M-Discs. Interestingly at the moment the 25GB discs work out to be the more cost effective storage option. A pack of 5x25GB discs is £19.86 so about 15p per GB and a pack of 5x50GB discs is £63.53 so about 25p per GB, that’s a big difference but it’s not always easy to fill a 50GB disc.

For anyone looking for a robust and future-proof method to preserve data, I believe that M-Disc technolgy is well worth considering even though many may think of optical storage as being “old” technology. Reliability matters.

You can read lots more about M-Disc here.